Skyway's determined win in Sunday's $200,000 Best Pal S. (G2) at Del Mar vaulted Sky Mesa to the top spot on the 2014 2-year-old Sire list. Skyway is one of eight juvenile winners, and the first stakes winner, this year by his sire.

Before shipping to California last month, Skyway had made his first two starts in Kentucky for trainer Mark Casse and owner John Oxley: a maiden win at Keeneland and third following some trouble in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor.

Skyway had a comfortable spot on the outside in fourth in a fairly compact field down the backstretch. Stewart Elliott began to inch his mount closer on the turn to take aim on Bad Read Sanchez, who had pulled clear. Skyway cut into the lead with every stride to assume command at the sixteenth pole, winning by 1 1/4-lengths in 1:16.67 for the six and one-half furlongs (VIDEO).

Trainer Mark Casse was understandably pleased. “I told Mr. Oxley last winter 'I think this horse could be something special.' Today with the post position (six), we could sit and watch horses. (Stewart) said he felt pretty good down the backside.”

Skyway, who was bred in New York by Sugar Maple Farm and Lewis Rapaport, was purchased by Oxley for $165,000 out of the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling sale.